Why Believe?

Qur'aanic Verses 84:19 to 84:21:

Transliterations:

19. Latarkabunna tabaqan AAan tabaqin

20. Fama lahum la yu/minoona

21. Wa-itha quri-a AAalayhimu alqur-anu la yasjudoona

Translations:

19. You [humans] do move from stage to stage.¹

20. Then how come they believe not [in a life to come]

21. And when the Qur’aan is read out to them, they prostrate not!?

Study Note:

1. Mankind is well aware of the many stages through which man passes from his conception in a womb to his grave. Then why does he not believe in the divine intimation to him of his further stages of barzakh (state of complete unconsciousness from death till his resurrection in the Hereafter) and further life in the Hereafter? This very question is posed to him in the next two Verses. The divine intimation is given to him through the Qur’aan, which he ought to believe in and prostrate (submit himself) to. But one may ask why. The answer is: there is no other source which gives us the information as to what happens after death. Our knowledge of science just tells us that we cease to exist. Science also does not tell us as to what it is that triggers life in the 3 week old fertilized ovum in mother’s womb. Science is thus absolutely helpless in giving us this vital info. So we have no alternative but to go to the divine source. And the divine info provides answers to a number of unresolved questions arising in the human mind. Why do innumerable cases of injustices apparently remain unpunished in this world? And why acts of good deeds remain unrewarded? Why do innocents suffer and why do wrong-doers apparently enjoy good life on this earth? Science has no answers to such questions; the Qur’aan has!

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An extract from yet-to-be-published Qur'aanic Studies Manzil VII.

Mohammad Shafi

The Hereafter

Qur'aanic Verse 75:5:

Transliteration:

5. Bal yureedu al-insanu liyafjura amamahu

Translation:

5. But³, man desires to go on doing evil in what lies ahead of him [in worldly life].

Study Note:

3. Use of this word ‘but’ here is significant. It is not for want of cogent reasons that man would not believe in the Hereafter; the need for it – the inevitability of it – is ingrained in the very nature of man! But he suppresses this inner call of his conscience; for, otherwise, he would not be able to lead a profligate life, the Satan has lured him into.

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An extract from yet-to-be-published Qur'aanic Studies Manzil VII.

Mohammad Shafi

Self-destructive Delusion

Qur'aanic Verses 70:1 & 70:2:

Transliterations:

1. Saala sa-ilun biAAathabin waqiAAin

2. Lilkafireena laysa lahu dafiAAun

Translations:

1. A questioner questions punishment that is bound to befall

2. Those who suppress the Truth.¹ There is none to defend ........

Study Note:

1. If a non-believer is told that Allah will punish him for his disbelief, he is bound to question its veracity. “I have been a disbeliever for years now, but no punishment has come to me because of my disbelief” he is bound to retort. He does not believe that this worldly life is a log drawn-out test. He does not believe that Allah would not punish him instantly for every wrong he does. He does not believe that Allah is giving him a long rope. He does not believe that Allah gives punishment in this life itself, only if such punishment is necessary for general continuance of this worldly life, or to give a warning to people that what they are doing is not good. He does not believe in the Hereafter, where he will be judged on his performance in this world and then rewarded and punished accordingly. He does not believe that he will be resurrected after death for this final Judgment. He thinks that this worldly life is the be-all and end-all of human existence. He is in a self-destructive delusion.

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An extract from yet-to-be-published Qur'aanic Studies Manzil VII.

Mohammad Shafi

The Absolute Truth

Qur'aanic Verse 69:50:

Transliteration:

50. Wa-innahu lahasratun AAala alkafireena

Translation:

50. And, indeed, it [the Qur’aan] is certainly a cause of regret for those who suppress the Truth.⁶

^{Study Note:}

6. The Qur’aan is the absolute Truth as the next Verse 51 reiterates. Every human being subconsciously knows it to be so. But his greed and prejudice and the temptations of this life come in the way of his recognizing this Truth. One who succumbs to these satanic influences will regret it when the Truth becomes crystal clear in the Hereafter.

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An extract from yet-to-be-published Qur'aanic Studies Manzil VII.

Mohammad Shafi

Divine Deal

Qur'aanic Verse 2:245:

Transliteration:

245. Man tha allathee yuqridu Allaha qardan hasanan fayudaAAifahu lahu adAAafan katheeratan waAllahu yaqbidu wayabsutu wa-ilayhi turjaAAoona

Translation:

245. Who is there to lend a good loan to Allah, which He will repay in multiples thereof? And it is Allah Who takes possession of things and amplifies them, and to Him you shall be returned.⁴⁶⁴

^{Study Note:}

464. Magnanimously thus does Allah offer a deal to His creatures, the human beings. HE wants them to sacrifice, if necessary, the pleasures of this worldly life, which are in any case temporary and unreliable. In return, He offers them everlasting rewards, many many times more in real value.

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An extract from Qur'aanic Studies Manzil I.

Mohammad Shafi

Worldly Life through Divine Eyes

Qur'aanic Verse 57:20:

Transliteration:

20. IAAlamoo annama alhayatu alddunya laAAibun walahwun wazeenatun watafakhurun baynakum watakathurun fee al-amwali waal-awladi kamathali ghaythin aAAjaba alkuffara nabatuhu thumma yaheeju fatarahu musfarran thumma yakoonu hutaman wafee al-akhirati AAathabun shadeedun wamaghfiratun mina Allahi waridwanun wama alhayatu alddunya illa mataAAu alghuroori

Translation:

20. Beware! The life of this world is only a game and a pastime, a show, and mutual boasting and out-rivaling each other in riches and children. It is like the growth of vegetation after the rain, which makes the skeptic wonder, but which then withers away, turns yellow and becomes worthless stubble. And in the Hereafter,  severe punishment, forgiveness from Allah and His Pleasure! And the life of this world is nothing but means of deception.